Sadly, though, for those of us with butterfingers, it could be years before the system is put into use.

The patent application claims the device would be "A method for protecting a portable device that includes an airbag deployable from a side of the portable device, comprising: detecting that the portable device will impact a surface; prior to impact with the surface, determining if a risk of damage to the portable device from the impact exceeds a damage threshold; when the risk of damage to the portable device exceeds the damage threshold: altering the orientation of the portable device such that the air bag first impacts the surface; and deploying the airbag prior to impact with the surface."

-- The Oregonian

Thermal-imaging camera leads King County deputies to suspect

A
suspected burglar fleeing from a King County deputy ran into woods near
Issaquah, but he couldn't hide from the thermal-imaging camera on the
sheriff's helicopter. The pursuit was captured on video.

The pilot directed deputies Thursday to the "hot spot" that showed heat from the man's body.

Deputies arrested the 27-year-old Issaquah man and booked him into the county jail.

The
chase began when a deputy on patrol saw the man attempting to
burglarize a house. The suspect drove off. The deputy forced the car to
stop and the suspect ran into the woods near Tiger Mountain.Online:

-- The Associated Press

Police arrest intruder who used pepper spray on Mill City homeowner

The Linn County sheriff's office says a Mill City resident returned home Thursday and discovered a man going through his personal items.

When confronted, the intruder knocked down the 70-year-old homeowner, sprayed him in the face with pepper spray and ran off.

The suspect was found trying to wash off pepper spray residue at a laundromat. The 49-year-old transient from Salem is jailed on burglary, assault and other charges.